Overview
Devils Glen has two marked walks and one waterfall, and how good the waterfall is depends entirely on how much rain has fallen. The Vartry River cuts through a steep, wooded gorge near Ashford, its walls of Cambrian greywacke and shale carpeted in moss, lichen and polypody fern under a canopy of beech, ash, Spanish chestnut and conifer. If you’ve only time for one loop, take the Waterfall Walk, since the falls and the viewpoint give it the edge. The Seamus Heaney Walk is the one to choose if you’d rather read poetry than chase a cascade.
Coillte manages the woods, balancing forestry with recreation.
The story behind the name
The gorge was cut at the end of the last Ice Age, when glacial meltwater tore a channel through the bedrock, and the Vartry has been working the valley ever since. The name comes from the waterfall. Before the Vartry Reservoir was built in the 1860s to supply Dublin, the falls ran full and loud, loud enough that the sound was likened to a ‘Satanic power announcing some great doom’. The reservoir took the volume out of it, which is why a dry-weather visit can be a let-down: the drama returns only when the river runs high after a good soaking.
Is Devils Glen open?
The glen is a Coillte forest and the walks are free. The car park at the start of the Waterfall Walk is gated. Coillte lists the gate as open 08:00 to 17:00 in winter and 07:00 to 21:00 in summer, so leave enough time to return before it closes. There is also a roadside car park near the Seamus Heaney route. Check Coillte before visiting in case hours or arrangements have changed.
Walking the Trails
Two looped routes cover the glen, each marked and equipped with way-markers and interpretive signs. Coillte grades both moderate and allows about two hours for either. The gorge has steep, exposed slopes. Stay on the trail, keep dogs on leads and give wet rocks and the river edge room.
Seamus Heaney Walk
This route runs through the higher woods and focuses on the area’s literary connection. In the 1970s, the poet Seamus Heaney’s family rented a gate lodge on the Glanmore Estate. Heaney wrote of the ‘strange loneliness’ of the landscape, and his words appear on carved plaques along the path. The trail also features a small informational board about his time in Wicklow, making it a quiet, reflective walk that pairs well with the surrounding canopy.
Waterfall Walk
This is the circuit that leads to the Devils Glen Waterfall. The path includes a steady climb before reaching the cascade, where a viewing platform offers sightlines of the drop. Beyond the falls, the route passes a natural rock arch and a higher vantage point that opens up views across the gorge and the surrounding Wicklow hills. This loop suits those who want a mix of elevation, water features and wider scenery.
Wildlife & Seasonal Highlights
The glen’s mix of mature broadleaf and conifer plantations supports red squirrels, roe deer and various woodland birds. Keep an eye out for jays, great tits and woodpeckers, whose calls are often the first sign of life in the shaded understorey.
Seasonal shifts change the character of the walk. Autumn turns the beech and chestnut canopy into a palette of copper, gold and russet, while spring brings fresh moss growth and early bird activity. The waterfall itself is highly weather-dependent: a dry spell leaves a gentle trickle, but a weekend of rain transforms it into a loud, misty cascade that justifies the glen’s dramatic name.
Practical Information for Visitors
- Footwear – The trails cross roots, gravel and occasionally muddy steps. Sturdy boots with reliable grip are strongly recommended, particularly after rain.
- Dogs – Keep dogs on leads, and close near the waterfall edge and on steeper sections.
- Buggies & Strollers – The paths are uneven and include steps, especially near the falls, so the glen is not suited to buggies.
- Facilities – Don’t count on cafés, toilets or shops at the glen. Bring your own water, snacks and any supplies you need.
- Trail Maps – Coillte provides information on both loops at Devils Glen.
Getting There
By Car – Devils Glen is near Ashford, and the entrances are signed. Use the signed Seamus Heaney Walk or Waterfall Walk car park. Allow for the waterfall car park gate when you plan your arrival and return.
By Public Transport – Bus services run to nearby towns, but check current timetables, as no route is known to serve the glen directly. The practical option is a bus to Bray or Wicklow Town, then a taxi for the final stretch.
Nearby Attractions
- Ashford – Home to Mount Usher Gardens, a historic botanical garden, a few minutes’ drive away.
- Avoca – The Avoca Valley and Handweaving Mill are a short scenic drive north, pairing traditional crafts with riverside walks.
- Wicklow Town – The historic county town, with Wicklow Gaol, Georgian streets and a range of pubs and restaurants.
- Glendalough – A major monastic site and twin lakes, a natural extension to a day spent walking in the Wicklow Mountains.
FAQs
- Is the walk suitable for families? – Both loops are marked and graded moderate by Coillte. Supervise children on steeper sections and near the waterfall edge.
- Can I bring a stroller? – The terrain is uneven with tree roots and steps, so a standard urban stroller will struggle, especially on the approach to the falls.
- When is the waterfall at its best? – Water flow peaks after sustained rainfall. Check recent weather, as a dry spell can leave only a light trickle over the rocks.
One practical warning: the barrier on the Waterfall Walk car park is shut outside its seasonal hours, so if you start a loop late you can come back to a locked gate. Check the posted times, and be back at the car well before closing.